Most Commonly Abused Prescription Drugs

While many drugs can be bought over the counter, there are quite a few that require a written prescription from a licensed health professional. These drugs have the power to improve life when taken as directed but can have the opposite effect if misused. 

Some of the powerful drugs people turn to for body aches or mental health care are addictive, which is why it’s important to follow medical advice when going down this road. Some people abuse prescription drugs without ill intent, but it’s a dangerous game. 

What is prescription drug abuse?

Prescription drug abuse happens when someone takes a prescribed drug outside of its intended use. This can look different between situations. Someone may choose to use a drug that was not prescribed to them, while another might take more than the prescribed dosage. Often, it starts in a way that feels completely fine, such as taking a friend’s prescribed pain medication for an ache of your own, but this can swiftly become dangerous.

16.3 million people misuse prescription drugs each year. These drugs already come with a risk of side effects, and using them outside of given orders can make things worse. Prescription drug abuse can affect people of all ages and starts for a wide range of reasons.

What are the most commonly abused prescription drugs?

 

Opioids, central nervous system depressants, and stimulants are the three types of prescription drugs commonly abused. These drugs carry mind-altering properties, which is why they tend to be the ones reached for. According to Montgomery County, PA, they quote The National Institute of Health estimates nearly 20% of the United States population has used prescription drugs for non-medical reasons, with opioids, CNS depressants, and stimulants being the most common. 

Opioids

Opioids are prescribed to relieve pain and may be referred to as opiates, painkillers, or narcotics. They are created to block pain signals in the body. Commonly known opioids include morphine, heroin, codeine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, and fentanyl. 

Opioids trigger the release of endorphins and make people feel good, but this only lasts for a short time. When the feeling fades, it may cause someone to want to chase it again. If one takes more than the prescribed dose or attempts to use opioids to get high, this could result in dependence. According to the Mayo Clinic, quoting the American Society of Anesthesiologists, the misuse of opioids is to blame for 90 deaths in the United States every day.   

Side effects of opioids include mental fog, constipation, and nausea. They can also cause feelings of euphoria or drowsiness. Opioid use disorder, or OUD, is a genuine concern. Following instructions from your doctor can help prevent problems when taking prescription opioids.  

Central nervous system (CNS) depressants

CNS depressants include benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and some sleep medicines. Sedatives, hypnotics, and tranquilizers are all examples. These drugs assist with a wide range of health issues. Common reasons someone may need CNS depressants include anxiety, seizures, insomnia, muscle spasms, and panic attacks. 

CNS depressants come as a pill, capsule, or liquid in some cases. Commonly known prescription CNS depressants include alprazolam (Xanax) and diazepam (valium). 

These drugs assist in relaxing muscles and calming the body and mind. Long-term use of CNS depressants can lead to chronic fatigue, depression, breathing issues, difficulty sleeping, and worse. 

Stimulants

Stimulants, which are also called uppers or pep pills, speed up messages between the body and brain. Stimulants are used to make a person feel more energetic and awake and are used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy. Prescription stimulants include Adderall, Concerta, Devedrine, and Ritalin. Caffeine and Nicotine are two legal substances that fall into this category, and illegal stimulants include meth, bath salts, and cocaine.  

Stimulants impact the body and brain in ways people enjoy and may desire to seek out. Stimulants can help a person lose weight by reducing appetite or create a feeling of bliss. These feelings are what lead people to abuse stimulants. In 2020, 758,000 people in the United States had a prescription stimulant use disorder. 

LGBTQ-Specific Substance Use Treatment Can Help

Signs of prescription drug abuse include taking higher doses than prescribed, being unusually energetic, requesting refills early, consistent claims of losing prescriptions, and trying to get prescriptions from multiple prescribers. If you have a problem, it might be time to talk to a trusted professional. 

Receiving affirming and safe care is essential to substance use treatment, and Pride Detox is one of the best LGBTQ treatment center options. We are committed to offering high-quality care that we have designed for our LGBTQ community. Start your journey toward a healthier life and call Pride Detox at 1-866-465-6889 today.